Ryan Tafazolli

Ryan Sirous Tafazolli (born 28 September 1991) is an English professional footballer who plays for EFL League One club Wycombe Wanderers.

Ryan Tafazolli
Tafazolli with Peterborough United in 2017
Personal information
Full name Ryan Sirous Tafazolli[1]
Date of birth (1991-09-28) 28 September 1991[2]
Place of birth Sutton, England
Height 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)[3]
Position(s) Centre-back[4]
Team information
Current team
 Wycombe Wanderers
Number 6
Youth career
2005–2011 Southampton
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2009–2011 Southampton 0 (0)
2009 → Salisbury City (loan) 5 (0)
2011 → Salisbury City (loan) 0 (0)
2011–2012 Concord Rangers
2012 Cambridge City 6 (0)
2012–2016 Mansfield Town 109 (8)
2016–2019 Peterborough United 101 (5)
2019–2020 Hull City 15 (2)
2020– Wycombe Wanderers 83 (8)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10:29, 5 October 2023 (UTC)

Early life

Tafazolli was born in Sutton, Greater London.[5] He is of Iranian descent.[6]

Club career

Early career

Tafazolli joined the Southampton Academy in 2005. He went on to captain the successful under-18 youth team and also the reserve team.[7]

His first taste of first-team football came after he joined Conference Premier team Salisbury City on a one-month loan starting October 2009,[7] but his professional debut against York City on 10 October 2009 was a disaster, as he was sent off in the second half. Nevertheless, Salisbury City won the match 1–0.[8] Tafazolli later played five league games and one FA Cup fixture[9] before returning to his parent club in December.[10] After still not breaking into the squad at Southampton, he returned to Salisbury in 2011 for three months, playing three times in the FA Trophy.[9]

After being released by Southampton in May 2011,[11] Tafazolli went on trial with Eastleigh[12] and Reading in an effort to win a contract with the club.[13] However, Tafazolli's best efforts to win a contract with these clubs failed.[14] He subsequently joined Isthmian League Premier Division side Concord Rangers, where he had a brief spell.[15]

In April 2012, Tafazolli joined Southern Premier League side Cambridge City on a short-term contract. He played six games for City, helping them reach the promotion playoffs.[16]

2012–13

Tafazolli signed for Conference club Mansfield Town on 20 August 2012.[17][18] Tafazolli made his Mansfield Town debut on 15 September 2012, in a 2–0 win over Braintree Town.[19] Despite an injured hamstring for most of the campaign,[20] during which time he only picked up five league appearances, at the end of Mansfield's title-winning season he was offered a new contract with the club.[21][22]

2013–14

At the start of the 2013–14 season, Tafazolli changed his shirt number from 32 to 12.[23] Tafazolli started the season on the bench, making his first start in a 3–0 win over Northampton Town on 21 September 2013.[24] Tafazolli soon suffered a knee injury that kept him out for a month.[25] He made his return on 29 December 2013, when Mansfield Town won 2–1 against Cheltenham Town.[26] From that point on, Tafazolli established himself and joined up with various partners in defence. His first goal for the club came on 8 March 2014 in a 2–1 win over Newport County[27] and he scored another in a 3–0 win over Rochdale a week later.[28] At the end of the 2013–14 season, Tafazolli won three awards; Fans' player of the season, Chairman and Directors' player of the season, and the Stags' Association player of the season despite only making 24 appearances.[29]

On 18 June 2014, Tafazolli accepted a new contract offered by the club.[30]

2014–15

In the pre-season of the 2014–15 season, Mansfield turned down a bid from Scottish Professional Football League side Dundee United for Ryan Tafazolli.[31] The club explained their decision on their website.[32] Tafazolli scored his first goal for the club at the start of the season in a 2–1 win over Oxford United.[33] Things went well until he injured a hamstring during a match against Accrington Stanley in early October, which Mansfield Town lost 1–0.[34] This left him on the sidelines until 15 November 2014 in a 2–0 loss against Shrewsbury Town.[35] Tafazolli was sent off after a second bookable offence in a 1–1 draw against Hartlepool United on 26 December 2014.[36] After serving a one-match ban, Tafazolli suffered a virus that kept him out for weeks.[37] He made his return to the first team in a 0–0 draw against Wycombe Wanderers on 24 January 2015.[38] Tafazolli made 42 appearances and scored once in all competitions.[39] At the end of the season, Tafazolli signed a contract with the club.[40]

2015–16

Tafazolli scored in a 2–0 league win over Stevenage on 29 September 2015.[41]

Peterborough United

On 6 June 2016, Tafazolli signed a three-year deal at League One club Peterborough United.[42] He scored his first goal for the club on 18 October 2016 in a 3–0 victory against Northampton Town.

Tafazolli was named as Peterborough's best defender for the 2016–17 season in April 2017.[43] In May he was also voted as Peterborough's best player of the 2016–17 season.[43]

He was released by Peterborough United at the end of the 2018–19 season.[44]

Hull City

On 18 July 2019, Tafazolli signed a two-year deal with Hull City.[45] Tafazolli made his first appearance for the club in the first match of the 2019–20 season in the 2–1 away defeat to Swansea City, when he came off the bench to replace Jordy de Wijs.[46]

Wycombe Wanderers

Following Hull's relegation, Tafazolli signed for Championship club Wycombe Wanderers on 2 September 2020.[47] He made his debut for the club on 19 September 2020 in a 5–0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers, coming off the bench in the 58th minute[48] and made his first start the following week in a defeat at home to Swansea City.[49]

Career statistics
As of 3 October 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Salisbury City (loan) 2008–09[50] Conference Premier 5010—0060
2010–11[9] Southern League Premier Division 0000—3[lower-alpha 1]030
Total 5010003090
Mansfield Town 2012–13[51] Conference Premier 5000—0050
2013–14[52] League Two 242000000242
2014–15[53] League Two 36140101[lower-alpha 2]0421
2015–16[54] League Two 445201100476
Total 10986021101189
Peterborough United 2016–17[55] League One 31340003[lower-alpha 3]0383
2017–18[56] League One 33162106[lower-alpha 3]0463
2018–19[57] League One 37140105[lower-alpha 3]0471
Total 1015142201401317
Hull City 2019–20[58] Championship 1522021—193
Wycombe Wanderers 2020–21[59] Championship 202100000212
2021–22[60] League One 33400203[lower-alpha 4]1385
2022–23[61] League One 252100000262
2023–24[62] League One 5000100060
Total 838203031919
Career total 313232529221136828
  1. Appearances in FA Trophy
  2. Appearance in Football League Trophy
  3. Appearances in EFL Trophy
  4. Appearances in the EFL League One play-offs

References
  1. "EFL – Squad List 2021/22: Wycombe Wanderers – In Squad Players" (PDF). English Football League. p. 143. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  2. "Ryan Tafazolli: Overview". ESPN. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  3. "Ryan Tafazolli". Wycombe Wanderers F.C. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  4. "Ryan Tafazolli". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  5. "Ryan Tafazolli: Profile". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
  6. Reed, Tom (12 August 2014). "Gripped by the Cobblers: The Tom Reed column – Northampton Town show match-winning credentials | Northampton Herald & Post". Northampton-news-hp.co.uk. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
  7. "Loan Move for Ryan". Southampton F.C. Archived from the original on 3 October 2009. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
  8. "Salisbury City 1–0 York City". BBC Sport. 10 October 2009. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  9. "Ryan Tafazolli". FootballDatabase.eu. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
  10. "Weymouth v Salisbury City preview / Tafazolli returns to Saints". Southampton Daily Echo. 11 December 2009. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  11. "Southampton duo prepare for talks". BBC Sport. 21 May 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  12. "Eastleigh hand trial to ex-Saint Ryan Tafazolli". Southampton Daily Echo. 22 July 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  13. "Why Aaron Martin is a great incentive?". Southampton Daily Echo. 8 August 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  14. "Eastleigh Make Late Signings". The Official Football Conference League Website. 15 August 2011. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  15. "Ryan Tafazolli turns out for Southend United to boost hopes of return to league". Echo. 14 March 2012. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  16. "Cambridge City v Swindon Supermarine". Cambridge City FC. 28 April 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  17. "Mansfield Town sign defender Ryan Tafazolli". BBC Sport. 20 August 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
  18. "Mansfield Town sign former Southampton trainee Ryan Tafazolli". Mansfield and Ashfield Chad. 20 August 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
  19. "Tafazolli set for debut". Mansfield Town F.C. 15 September 2012. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  20. "Cox will play strongest side v Slough". Mansfield Town F.C. 1 November 2012. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  21. "Mansfield Town give defender Ryan Tafazolli new deal". This is Nottingham. 9 May 2013. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
  22. "Mansfield Town: Lee Beevers one of 11 offered new deals". BBC Sport. 3 May 2013. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
  23. "Squad numbers announced". Mansfield Town F.C. 18 July 2013. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  24. "Two changes for Cobblers clash". Mansfield Town F.C. 21 September 2013. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  25. "Preview: Torquay vs Stags". Mansfield Town F.C. 18 October 2014. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  26. "Match Report: Cheltenham Town 1 – 3 Mansfield Town". Mansfield Town F.C. 29 December 2013. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  27. "Mansfield Town 2–1 Newport County". BBC Sport. 8 March 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  28. "Mansfield Town 3 – 1 Rochdale". BBC Sport. 12 April 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  29. "In pictures: Annual Dinner Awards". Mansfield Town F.C. 8 May 2014. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  30. "Duo agree Football League deals". Mansfield Town F.C. 18 June 2013. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  31. "Dundee United fail with bid for Mansfield defender Ryan Tafazolli". BBC Sport. 8 July 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  32. "Stags reject bids for duo". Mansfield Town F.C. 8 July 2014. Archived from the original on 28 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  33. "Mansfield Town 2 – 1 Oxford United". BBC Sport. 16 August 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  34. "Defensive duo face spells on the sidelines". Mansfield Town F.C. 7 October 2014. Archived from the original on 29 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  35. "Team news from Greenhous Meadow". Mansfield Town F.C. 15 November 2014. Archived from the original on 29 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  36. "Mansfield Town 1 – 1 Hartlepool United". BBC Sport. 26 December 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2014.
  37. "I've experienced the difference the fans can make says boss". Mansfield Town F.C. 23 January 2015. Archived from the original on 28 January 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  38. "Mansfield Town 0 – 0 Wycombe Wanderers". BBC Sport. 24 January 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  39. "Tafazolli casts eye to the future". Mansfield Town F.C. 1 May 2015. Archived from the original on 1 May 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  40. "Gaffer expects trio to stay". Mansfield Town. 9 June 2015. Archived from the original on 8 July 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  41. "Match Report". Mansfieldtown.net. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
  42. "Ryan Tafazolli & Andrew Hughes join Peterborough United". BBC Sport. 6 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  43. "Peterborough United | Vital Posh Player of the Season 2016/2017". Archived from the original on 12 July 2017. Retrieved 13 May 2017.
  44. "Peterborough United: Aaron Chapman among five transfer-listed as four released". BBC Sport. 7 May 2019. Retrieved 8 May 2019.
  45. "Tafazolli Pens Permanent Deal". Hull City A.F.C. 18 July 2019. Retrieved 18 July 2019.
  46. "Swansea City 2–1 Hull City". BBC Sport. BBC. 3 August 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  47. "Sixth summer signing secured". Wycombe Wanderers F.C. 2 September 2020. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  48. "Blackburn Rovers 5–0 Wycombe Wanderers". BBC Sport. 19 September 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  49. "Wycombe Wanderers 0–2 Swansea City". BBC Sport. 26 September 2020. Retrieved 28 September 2020.
  50. "Games played by Ryan Tafazolli in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  51. "Games played by Ryan Tafazolli in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  52. "Games played by Ryan Tafazolli in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  53. "Games played by Ryan Tafazolli in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  54. "Games played by Ryan Tafazolli in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  55. "Games played by Ryan Tafazolli in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  56. "Games played by Ryan Tafazolli in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  57. "Games played by Ryan Tafazolli in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  58. "Games played by Ryan Tafazolli in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 June 2020.
  59. "Games played by Ryan Tafazolli in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  60. "Games played by Ryan Tafazolli in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  61. "Games played by Ryan Tafazolli in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  62. "Games played by Ryan Tafazolli in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
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